Intellectual Disability/Autism

Welcome

Approximately 1 in 68 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (CDC, 2014). The prevalence of autism has increased dramatically in the last decade. As the prevalence rate increases, the need for teachers to serve students with autism is increasing at a rapid pace.

Students with intellectual disabilities constitute the largest population among students receiving special education services (U.S DOE, 2012). Teachers play a crucial role in promoting these students’ successful outcomes. As such, there is a great demand for effective teachers to serve students with intellectual disabilities.

The Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/Autism) program prepares teachers to work with students with an autism spectrum disorder (including Asperger's disorder) and students with an intellectual disability (including Down syndrome) in a variety of classroom settings (e.g., a general education classroom, integrated co-teaching (ICT) classroom, self-contained classroom, special school) across early childhood, childhood, and adolescence.

Certifications and Degrees

The ID/Autism program offers Master’s degree programs to suit the needs of students who seek a NY State teaching certificate (reciprocal with most other states), as well as those who do not plan to earn a NY State teaching certificate.

The student who seeks NY State initial Special Education and General Education teaching certificates at the childhood level (grades 1-6) should apply to the ITDS-DUAL Master’s degree program.

The student who seeks a NY State initial Special Education teaching certificate at the adolescence level (grades 7-12) should apply to the ITDA-INIT Master’s degree program.

The student who seeks NY State initial Special Education and General Education teaching certificates at the early childhood level (birth-grade 2) should apply to the ITDE-DUAL Master’s degree program.

The student who has already obtained an initial Special Education teaching certificate should apply to the MULT-ANOT Master’s degree program.

The student who seeks NY State Transitional-B certificate at the childhood level (grades 1-6) should apply to the ITDC-TRAN Master’s degree program (Note. This program is only for the students who have been admitted to the Peace Corps Fellows Program).

The student who does not plan to obtain a teaching certificate should apply to the HABL Master’s degree program.

The Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/Autism) program also offers Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs providing advanced study for students who aim to contribute to special education through leadership and applied research.

Handbooks

The student handbooks found below are designed in order to give you more information concerning our programs and requirements